Richard Froese
South Peace News
More than one dozen teams from regions across northern Alberta will compete in the second annual Starr Sasakamoose SS Cup Hockey Tournament in High Prairie from March 21-23.
About 15 teams in three divisions will compete, says event organizer Kristal Sasakamoose, sister of the late Starr Sasakamoose Sr.
Action kicks off March 21 at the Sports Palace and Gordon Buchanan Recreation Centre and continues over three days with the championships finals set March 23.
On the final day to register, March 14, seven teams in the Men’s Division were confirmed, along with four each in the Legends Division and Ladies’ Division.
The tournament last year featured a total of 16 teams – eight in the Men’s Division, four in the Legends Division and four in the Ladies’ Division.
“We want the tournament to get bigger and bigger,” Sasakamoose says.
She and other organizers appreciate community support for the event.
The family initiated and organized the inaugural tournament in 2024 to fulfill a dream Sasakamoose Sr. had before he suddenly passed away April 10, 2023 at 43 years of age – to host an annual hockey tournament in High Prairie.
His daughter Jordyn Sasakamoose says the event was meaningful for the family and carried the heart of her father.
“The tournament was held as a memorial for my dad,” Sasakamoose says.
“He had the dream of hosting tournament and was trying to make the arrangements to do so before he passed away.
“With the Treaty 8 Cup tournament moving to Slave Lake, he wanted to keep a hockey tournament in our community.
“My dad Starr was always about helping and including everyone,” Sasakamoose says.